"Everybody knows what he's been going through, but he's a tough guy and his first priority was to get this team to Atlanta, which he did." - Auburn receiver Kodi Burns on embattled quarterback Cam Newton, who led the Tigers to the SEC West-clinching victory over Georgia

"We just couldn't stop them. That was the biggest difference. We didn't continue to score and that's all there is to it. ... The only way to outnumber a run game like that is to bring both safeties to the line of scrimmage. When you do that, he throws the ball too well. Cam (Newton) is a true dual threat and a tough kid. They have other good players that played well today, but he's the difference." - Georgia coach Mark Richt

GRADES

Rushing offense: C

Georgia seemed to make decent headway most of the night. But it did not show much patience when the game turned into a horse race. Caleb King had a 5.9-yard average Washaun Ealey had a 7.3-yard average. But they totaled 53 on nine carries and 44 yards on six carries respectively so they didn't get much work. Georgia gave up four sacks for minus-34 yards to help slant the total. But the Bulldogs didn't run as consistently as it needed.

Passing offense: B-

Aaron Murray and A.J. Green had standout days. Murray completed 15 of 28 passes for 273 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. Green caught nine of those passes for 164 yards and two scores. Georgia tested Auburn deep often and with success. Orson Charles had a 36-yard catch and Kris Druham had a 28-yard catch. But Georgia gave up four sacks and Auburn won the game.

Rushing defense: D

Cam Newton made an on-the-field statement about his Heisman Trophy credentials at the expense of the Bulldogs. Newton ran for 151 yards and two TDs as the Tigers plowed over Georgia for 315 yards, five TDs and 5.5 yards a carry on the ground.

Passing defense: C+

Bacarri Rambo's interception and 25-yard return to set up a first-quarter touchdown was the highlight. Georgia also had two sacks against Cam Newton. Auburn's QB didn't have to pass much. But when he did, he completed 12-of-15 (80 percent) for 148 yards, two TDs and an interception.

Special Teams: C+

Auburn caught Georgia flat-footed by recovering an onside kick to start the second half. Georgia never recovered the momentum and that turned out to be the biggest special teams play of the game. Brandon Boykin set the school career kickoff return yardage record. But he averaged 15 yards a return, including three he tried to take out of the end zone that didn't make the 20-yard line. The specialists were solid.

Blair Walsh hit all of his kicks. Drew Butler averaged 39 yards a kick but downed one inside the 20.

Coaching: B-

The team started fast which it didn't do last week against Idaho State. It didn't hurt itself with turnovers and had a minimum of bad penalties despite the chippy nature of the game. Mike Bobo was willing to test Auburn's secondary by throwing deep and it paid off. He also exploited Auburn's brief experiment with one-on-one coverage of A.J. Green. But the running was inconsistent despite good yardage when they tried. Georgia's defense started well but wore down quickly. Auburn converted 10 of 14 third downs and gained 463 yards. Auburn controlled most of the second half by running straight at Georgia and Todd Grantham's defense couldn't stop it.